Movie star Ashley Walters has opened up on how his ‘dying’ passion for acting was reignited after watching teenager Owen Cooper perform in the hit Netflix show Adolescence.
The 42-year-old actor was in the So Solid Crew before he became famous in the acclaimed show Top Boy and other shows.
Walters plays DI Luke Bascombe in the Netflix show Adolescence, which highlights how a teenager is accused of murder.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, Ashley Walters revealed that the experience of making the four-parter, unusually filmed in one take and starring teenager Owen Cooper in his first professional series reignited his passion for acting.
‘It totally revived acting. For me, there was a light that was slowly dying inside of me, and coming on set and watching Owen reminded me of what acting is all about’, Walters said.
‘It’s because he was so pure, and, you know, that’s why he could go and play swingball after takes through and stuff.’
‘We take it so seriously, you know, over the years, it just powers on. And you’re thinking about the craft all the time, and what’s your next job, and what’s this, and what’s that.’
‘And Owen just kind of comes and is just so casual about it. You remember the moments of watching your kids play with toys in the corner, and just being so free, and they believe in whatever they’re doing?’
‘That’s where we’re all trying to get to, you know, working with these kids, that’s what they have the ability to do. And, you know, Owen was, I was watching him in awe most of the time. Like, how the hell is he doing this?
‘Like, how is this magic happening? But you know, he’s just a very skilled actor, and I hope he goes on to great things.’
Ashley Walters not only touched on his passion for acting but also stated that the team had up to ten takes for each hour-long episode which was a big challenge.
‘I always wanted to work with [director] Phil [Barantini] in that kind of way. And then I got there and I realised how tough it is. It’s quite challenging, you know what I mean, and quite daunting at times.’
‘You know, I spent many, many evenings kind of burying my head in the script, sometimes a bit few tears in my eyes, just thinking, “Am I going to be able to achieve this?” But actually, when I let go, that’s when I started to understand what the process was about.’
‘There is an ensemble cast. Everyone picks up the ball, no matter how quickly they pass it over or how long they have it, it doesn’t matter.’
‘We’re all in it together. And when you drop it, someone else picks it up and gives it back to you, you know?’
‘And that was the process. And the minute I started to just respond to what was happening in front of me, and believe in my mind that I knew the text, I knew what was going on, that’s when it became free and amazing.’
READ ALSO: White model who injected skin to become Black reveals plans to ‘move to Africa’
‘And, I just wish I could work like this, like every day, you know, it’s just one of the best experiences in the world.’
Walters’ fans on social media now have Cooper to thank for their favorite star’s commitment to his profession, knowing the excitement he’s brought them over the years.
